In a critical editorial published on March 14, The Washington Post questions US President Barack Obama’s embrace and concessions for Myanmar in the face of what it says is the regime’s failure to keep its promises.

The editorial entitled, “A failing engagement with Burma,” the commentary raises the proposition made by a top US official that “Burma could be a model” for changing North Korea, but cuts it down.

“[North Korean leader] Kim Jong Un might well take a lesson from Burma, but North Koreans ought to hope that he doesn’t. What its record currently shows is that a dictatorship can reap the economic and political benefits of detente with the United States while offering only token political concessions. More than two years after the administration lifted sanctions on Burma and began providing it with nearly a billion dollars in aid, the military regime continues to persecute minorities, imprison journalists and repress peaceful dissent while defending a constitution that bans the country’s most important political leader, Nobel laureate Aung San Suu Kyi, from becoming president.”

The editorial claims that according to Mr Obama’s five tests for measuring the transition from authoritarianism, Nay Pyi Taw has failed all of them.

The British Foreign Office claims there are “a number of worrying setbacks” in Myanmar’s reform process, according to a report just released.

The annual human rights report, issued on March 12, talks about “setbacks, which were of significant concern.”

The British government has actively engaged with the government of President U Thein Sein and provided training for military officers and police personnel.

“2014 saw increasing numbers of political prisoners, conflict in Kachin and Shan, and repression of the media. The early part of the year saw a sharp increase in inter-communal violence in Rakhine State, and the Rohingya community continues to be subject to discriminatory policies and vulnerable to further violence,” the report says.

Ms Anna Roberts, executive director of the Burma Campaign UK commented that it was good to see the British government finally admit that there are serious setbacks with Myanmar’s reform process.

“Despite admitting there are setbacks, they have not announced any change of approach or policy. They are literally doing business as usual. Admitting there is a problem is an essential first step to dealing with a problem, now they need to change their policy, starting with reviewing the assistance they are giving to the authoritarian, military-backed Burmese government,” she said on March 12.

Former US President George W Bush (L) and his wife Laura. Photo: George W. Bush via Facebook

Former US president George W. Bush on March 12 hit out at a crackdown on student-led protests in Myanmar which have sparked international alarm, calling for the swift release of those arrested.

In a joint statement with his wife, ex-first lady Laura Bush, the former US leader urged Myanmar to free student leader Phyoe Phyoe Aung, who is a part of a forum run by the Bush Institute.

"We are deeply concerned about the recent arrests of peaceful demonstrators in Burma by local authorities," Bush said, describing Phyoe Phyoe Aung as a "passionate advocate for education" in the Southeast Asian nation.

"Education is vital to the political, economic, and social well-being of every nation and people," Bush said.

"We hope that those arrested will soon be released."

Myanmar authorities detained some 127 demonstrators - including students and monks - in a frenzied crackdown on a protest in the central town of Letpadan on March 10, drawing condemnation from the opposition and Western nations.

Scores remain behind bars facing unknown charges and without access to their families, although authorities released a handful of students on Thursday.

Ma Wahkushee Tenner of the Women’s League of Burma, left, on visit to Canada. Photo: Inter Pares

Two ethnic women from Myanmar testified at the Canadian Parliament on March 10, calling for Canadian pressure on the Myanmar government to end systematic human rights abuses, particularly sexual violence, by the Myanmar military, according to Inter Pares, a Canadian social justice organisation on March 11.

The two ethnic delegates were invited to testify before the Subcommittee on International Human Rights. Speaking to MPs, they urged Canada to take the lead in calling for an investigation into human rights abuses in Myanmar, particularly military sexual violence. They also called for pressure on the Myanmar government to pull back troops from ethnic areas and begin political dialogue to end the civil war, the NGO said in a press release.

Ma Wahkushee Tenner of the Women’s League of Burma testified about the ongoing use of rape as a weapon of war by Myanmar government troops, citing reports by WLB which have documented well over 100 cases of sexual violence since the current government came to power in 2011.

Ma Jessica Nkhum of the Kachin Women’s Association Thailand, testified about the recent gang rape and killing of two volunteer Kachin teachers in northern Shan State on January 20, 2015.

She alleged torture had been used on local villagers to make them confess to the crime, and explained that the Myanmar military had threatened legal action against anyone accusing them of involvement.

Immediately responding to the testimony, MP Mr David Sweet tweeted “Witnesses reveal disturbing increase in violent and sexual human rights violations against women by the Burmese Army in rural Burma.”

Inter Pares, an international social justice organization, had invited the two women to Canada to participate in exchanges with people from other conflict-impacted countries, including Sudan and Colombia.

Police crack down on the students protest in Letpadan, Bago Region, Myanmar, March 10, 2015. Photo: Thet Ko/Mizzima

Burma Campaign UK is calling on the British government, European Union, USA and other donors to conduct a full review of all their direct and indirect assistance to the government of Myanmar, to ensure that international aid is not being used to modernise and improve the institutions of an authoritarian regime, instead of assisting a genuine transition to democracy.

The call came on March 11 in the wake of recent violent attacks on and arrests of protesting students in Letpadan and Yangon.

The NGO claims the crackdown exposes the shallow nature of Myanmar’s reform process.

“In an authoritarian country such as Burma, it cannot credibly be argued that police were acting completely independently or were simply out of control. If firm orders had been given to police that violence was not to be used against students, and those orders enforced by commanders, it is unlikely police would have acted as they did,” the NGO says.

The NGO said that since the students began their protest march in January they have faced threats, harassment, obstruction and had their protest banned. The education law itself and the threats and harassment of those opposing it, originate with the central government, and cannot only be blamed on local police forces. Yangon students and activists supporting them have also faced violence and arrest from police and regime-backed thugs.

“Burma Campaign UK is concerned about the muted response of the international community to the crackdown on protesting students, which stands in stark contrast to statements and actions taken after similar crackdowns by the previous regime. This mirrors a general reluctance to strongly condemn or take action on human rights violations by the government of Burma. Gaining international acceptance, getting sanctions lifted, and receiving aid and investment, was a prime motivator for the reform process. Weak and muted responses to human rights violations encourage the government of Burma to believe it can continue to commit human rights abuses without consequences,” Burma Campaign UK said.

Police officers at an EU-sponsored training course conducted at the Myanmar Police Force Battalion (8) at Hmawbi, north of Yangon, on November 5, 2013. Photo: Mizzima

The European Union has criticised Myanmar after baton-wielding police dispersed a student rally and arrested dozens of protesters in a crackdown.

According to a press release on March 10, the European Union Delegation to Myanmar said it was deeply concerned to hear reports of the use of force against protesters in Letpadan.

“We call for a formal investigation to be initiated swiftly. Freedom of expression and the right to legal and peaceful assembly are fundamental values of the European Union,” the release says.

The 28-nation bloc also defended its 2013 decision to launch a 10-million-euro programme to train Myanmar police in dealing with demonstrations, saying it was part of efforts to support reform.

“The EU started training the police following direct requests from both the government and the NLD, in order to bring the MPF in line with international standards and best practices. This was needed, and as events show, this need still remains. The fundamental purpose of the training is to increase the respect of human rights, stress the importance of negotiation and – only as a last resort – consider the use of proportional force. Any actions which go against these principles are of great concern to the EU,” the release says.

“Whilst training can be given, the EU cannot make decisions on the ground. Over the last week, we have discussed recent events with the Minister of Home Affairs and the Myanmar Police Force, emphasising the need for negotiation, mutual understanding and compromise. We also stressed the importance of using trained, professional police officers in these situations, not parallel security structures which may be written into law, but lack legitimacy. It must be made clear that the EU does not train non-police forces and does not condone their use in police actions.

“We also believe that all sides must act in a lawful manner and work towards compromise to reach a mutually acceptable solution. The rule of law applies to all. Since the beginning of the EU project, progress has been made. In some cases, when EU-trained police units have been used, a difference in approach has been acknowledged, including by human rights organisations. However, much remains to be done,” the release says.

Myanmar police carted away two truckloads of protesters after violently breaking up the rally in the central town of Letpadan.

The crackdown comes just days after authorities used violence to end a rally in support of the students in the commercial hub of Yangon, prompting condemnation from rights campaigners.

The EU said the clashes showed the need for further reform by Myanmar's military-dominated government but insisted that it was right to launch the training programme for riot police.

The Solar Impulse 2 plane takes off for a trip around the world from Al Bateen Executive Airport in Abu Dhabi, UAE, March 9, 2015. The trip will take the Solar Impulse 2 to Oman, India, Myanmar and China. The plane will then cross the Pacific to Hawaii and on to the US mainland. Following a flight across the Atlanic and over the Mediterranean region, the pilots are planning to return to the capital of the United Arab Emirates. Photo: Ali Haider/EPA

The first attempt to fly around the world in a plane using solar energy took off on the morning of March 9 from Abu Dhabi, heading for India and then on to Mandalay, Myanmar, in a landmark journey aimed at promoting green energy.

The takeoff of Solar Impulse 2, which was delayed on Saturday due to high winds, would cap 13 years of research and testing by Swiss pilots Andre Borschberg and Bertrand Piccard.

"This project is a human project, it is a human challenge," Mr Borschberg, co-founder and chief executive of Solar Impulse who will fly the plane on the first leg, told reporters on Sunday.

The wingspan of the one-seater plane, known as the Si2, is slightly bigger than that of a jumbo jet, but its weight is around that of a family car.

It took off shortly after 6:30 am (0230 GMT), landing first in Muscat, Oman.

From there, it will make 12 stops on an epic journey spread over five months, with a total flight time of around 25 days.

It will cross the Arabian Sea to India before heading on to Myanmar, China, Hawaii and New York.

Landings are also earmarked for the midwestern United States and either southern Europe or North Africa, depending on weather conditions.

The longest single leg will see a lone pilot fly non-stop for five days across the Pacific Ocean between Nanjing, China and Hawaii, a distance of 8,500 kilometres (5,270 miles).

Mr Borschberg and Mr Piccard will alternate turns at the controls because the plane can hold only one person.All this will happen without burning a drop of fuel.

"Climate change is a fantastic opportunity to bring in the market new green technologies that save energy, save natural resources of our planet, make profit, create jobs, and sustain growth."

The pilots' idea was ridiculed by the aviation industry when it was first unveiled.

But Piccard, who hails from a family of scientist-adventurers and was the first person, in 1999, to circumnavigate the globe in a hot air balloon, clung to his belief that clean technology and renewable energy "can achieve the impossible".

The plane is powered by more than 17,000 solar cells built into wings that, at 72 metres (236 feet), are longer than a jumbo and approaching that of an Airbus A380 superjumbo.

Thanks to an innovative design, the lightweight carbon fibre aircraft weighs only 2.3 tonnes, about the same as a family 4X4 and less than one percent of the weight of the A380.

The Si2 is the first solar-powered aircraft able to stay aloft for several days and nights.

The propeller craft has four 17.5 horsepower electric motors with rechargeable lithium batteries.

It will travel at 50-100 kilometres per hour, with the slower speeds at night to prevent the batteries from draining too quickly.

The Si2 is the successor to Solar Impulse, a smaller craft that notched up a 26-hour flight in 2010, proving its ability to store enough power in the batteries during the day to keep flying at night It made its last successful test flight in the United Arab Emirates on March 2, and mission chiefs reported no problems.

It is scheduled to arrive back in Abu Dhabi in July, flown by Mr Piccard.

For him, "the project should not finish in July, it should start in July." A petition was launched on futureisclean.org to campaign in favour of clean energy.

The pilots will be linked to a control centre in Monaco where 65 weathermen, air traffic controllers and engineers will be stationed. A team of 65 support staff will travel with the two pilots.

Its progress can be monitored via live video streaming at www.solarimpulse.com.

Bangladesh-born US blogger Mr Avijit Roy was hacked to death by assailants with machetes on February 26 in Dhaka, Bangladesh. Photo: Avijit Roy/Facebook

A prominent American blogger of Bangladeshi origin was hacked to death with machetes by unidentified assailants in Dhaka on February 26, police said, with the atheist writer's family claiming he had received numerous threats from Islamists.

The body of Mr Avijit Roy, founder of Mukto-Mona [Free-mind] blog site which champions liberal secular writing in the Muslim-majority nation, was found covered in blood after the attack which also left his wife critically wounded.

"He died as he was brought to the hospital. His wife was also seriously wounded. She has lost a finger," local police chief Sirajul Islam said.

The couple were on a bicycle rickshaw, returning from a bookfair, when two assailants stopped and dragged them onto a sidewalk before striking them with machetes, local media reported citing witnesses.

Mr Roy, said to be around 40, is the second Bangladeshi blogger to have been murdered in two years and the fourth writer to have been attacked since 2004.

Hardline Islamist groups have long demanded the public execution of atheist bloggers and sought new laws to combat writing critical of Islam.

"Roy suffered fatal wounds in the head and died from bleeding... after being brought to the hospital," doctor Sohel Ahmed told reporters.

Police have launched a probe and recovered the machetes used in the attack but could not confirm whether Islamists were behind the incident.

But Mr Roy's father said the writer, a US citizen, had received a number of "threatening" emails and messages on social media from hardliners unhappy with his writing.

"He was a secular humanist and has written about ten books" including his most famous "Biswasher Virus" [Virus of Faith], his father M Ajoy Roy told AFP.

The Center for Inquiry, a US-based charity promoting free thought, said it was "shocked and heartbroken" by the brutal murder of Mr Roy.

"Dr Roy was a true ally, a courageous and eloquent defender of reason, science, and free expression, in a country where those values have been under heavy attack," it said in a statement.

Mr Roy's killing also triggered strong condemnation from his fellow writers and publishers, who lamented the growing religious conservatism and intolerance in Bangladesh.

"The attack on Roy and his wife Rafida Ahmed is outrageous. We strongly protest this attack and are deeply concerned about the safety of writers," Mr Imran H. Sarker, head of an association for bloggers in Bangladesh, told AFP.

Mr Pinaki Bhattacharya, a fellow blogger and friend of Roy, claimed one of the country's largest online book retailers was being openly threatened for selling Mr Roy's books.

"In Bangladesh the easiest target is an atheist. An atheist can be attacked and murdered," he wrote on Facebook.

Atheist blogger Ahmed Rajib Haider was hacked to death in 2013 by members of a little known Islamist militant group, triggering nationwide protests by tens of thousands of secular activists.

After Haider's death, Bangladesh's hardline Islamist groups started to protest against other campaigning bloggers, calling a series of nationwide strikes to demand their execution, accusing them of blasphemy.

The secular government of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina reacted by arresting some atheist bloggers.

The government also blocked about a dozen websites and blogs to stem the furor over blasphemy, as well as stepping up security for the bloggers.

Bangladesh is the world's fourth-largest Muslim majority nation with Muslims making up some 90 percent of the country's 160 million people.

A tribunal has recently handed down a series of verdicts against leading Islamists and others for crimes committed during the war of independence from Pakistan in 1971.

The Australian government has warned women that joining up with the Islamic State group is unlikely to be a "romantic adventure." UK police photo showing three schoolgirls at Gatwick Airport, England on February 17, 2015 who have been reported missing and are believed to be making their way to Syria to meet up with the Islamic State group. Photo: London Metropolitan Police/EPA

A worrying number of Australian women are heading to Iraq and Syria to become so-called Islamic State group "jihadi brides," Australian Foreign Minister Julie Bishop said February 26, warning against notions of a "romantic adventure."

At least 110 Australians have left to fight alongside militants in the Middle East and security officials said between 30 and 40 women were among them or were actively supporting the group in Australia.

"Sadly we are seeing a younger cohort seeking to join the conflict in Syria and Iraq and an increasing number of young females," Ms Bishop said, responding to the high-profile case this week of three British teenage girls heading to Syria.

"This defies logic. Family and friends need to reach out to young people at risk before it's too late."She cited the case of 22-year-old Ms Amira Karroum who left her Sydney home just before Christmas and died in fighting in Syria.

"Her death was not martyrdom, it was a tragic senseless loss," said Ms Bishop.

She added that many women heading to conflict zones were either attracted to male foreign terrorist fighters, were accompanying their partner, or actually looking for a husband and being told online they could find one in Syria and Iraq.

"This is a terrorist organisation that has an appalling track record when it comes to women," she told ABC radio."They actually have online instructions on how to treat a sex slave. They encourage sexual assault on children who haven't even reached puberty.

"So their attitude towards women is utterly appalling and so young women shouldn't be led to believe that there's some romantic adventure attached to supporting Daesh [Islamic State] and similar terrorist organisations."

An estimated 550 women from across Europe have also travelled to join the jihadists and Ms Bishop said Australia was working with Muslim communities to highlight the risks.

"We have a number of community initiatives and programmes, working with local communities, working with schools, working with families," she said.

"Our initiative in tackling the spread of online extremist content on websites is also part of that, working with local mosques, working with community groups."

Her comments came as an Australian man who travelled to Syria to battle militants was reportedly killed - the first Westerner known to die fighting alongside the Kurds.

"An Australian man was killed in an assault on Tuesday by the Islamic State against a position of the Kurdish People's Protection Units near Tal Hamis in Hasakeh province," said Syrian Observatory for Human Rights director Rami Abdel Rahman.

Australia's foreign affairs department said it was aware of the reports but its "capacity to confirm reports of deaths in either Syria or Iraq is extremely limited."

"Australians who become involved in overseas conflicts are putting their own lives in mortal danger," it added.

Nearly two months after a terrorist attack left 12 of its members dead, the editorial staff of French satirical magazine Charlie Hebdo is slated to release a new issue of their edgy publication on February 25.

Resuming weekly publication after a more-than-month-long hiatus, the debut issue has been led by newly-installed editor Mr Laurent Sourisseau, a cartoonist who was wounded in the attack and who goes by the alias Riss.

The cover of the new issue, which circulated on social media days before the publication was set to hit newsstands, showed a horde of vicious and wild-looking dogs chasing a diminutive pup carrying an issue of Charlie Hebdo in its mouth.

The dogs in the background evoke Pope Francis, conservative politician Marine Le Pen [as a pit bull], former French president Nicolas Sarkozy [as a poodle] and a Muslim jihadist toting a Kalashnikov.

It also makes reference to greed, stock markets, a French anti-gay movement and BFM-TV, the news channel whose practices during the attacks have earned rebuke for breaching journalistic ethics.

"Here we go again!" reads the cover inscription. The cartoon is rendered in black and white against a poppy red background and signed by Luz, another of the magazine's cartoonists.

Except for the so-called “survivor's issue” of Charlie Hebdo - released a week after the January 7 shooting at the magazine's offices and featuring a cartoon of a weeping Mohammed on the cover - the publication is the first since the attacks and hails a return to normal operations.

The publisher has set the print run of the magazine at 2.5 million copies, according to a report in Liberation, the newspaper that has shared its offices with the surviving Charlie Hebdo members since January. While the number is significantly below the 7 million copies issued for the post-attack issue, it represents a drastic rise over the pre-attack runs of between 30,000 and 60,000 copies.

The survivor's issue sparked protests across many parts of the Muslim world, as some religious adherents decried the illustration of Mohammed on the cover. Charlie Hebdo had previously garnered criticism for similar moves in the past, which prompted extremist militant groups to place it on hit lists.

The attack at the magazine's headquarters has aggravated tensions across Europe. Earlier this month, a gunman believed to have been inspired by the Charlie Hebdo shooting targeted an event in Copenhagen that was hosting Swedish artist and cartoonist Lars Vilks. Multiple newspapers, publications and newsstands reprinting or selling Charlie Hebdo cartoons have also been threatened.